Franklin in the middle of it

Mike Singletary was asked Wednesday if nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin has struggled to hold the point against the run.

Singletary answered by reminding everyone how Franklin refused to sign his franchise-tag deal until the end of training camp.

“I think Aubrayo, sometimes when a guy doesn’t go through training camp, it shows,” Singletary said. “But he’s continued to make progress. He’ll get where he needs to go. He’ll get where he needs to be, and we’ll get there together.”

So what does Franklin have to say about all this?

“I feel like I’m where I should be right now,” Franklin said Wednesday. “I think I picked up where I left off last year.”

The numbers say otherwise, at least as far as the run defense goes as a whole.

Last year, the 49ers ranked third against runs up the middle (3.0 yards per carry) and third against runs over right guard (2.68).

Through five games, they are 15th up the middle (3.54 yards) and 18th over right guard (4.17) — two areas that go right up Franklin’s alley.

Still, Franklin doesn’t think his prolonged holdout has anything to do with anything.

“I feel that my play is the same where it picked off last year,” Franklin said. “I don’t think there’s no dropoff or nothing. My body feels better missing training camp. I think I’m right where I should be.”

“It shows on film. If you look at the film, I feel like I’m playing at the same level.”

Of course, Franklin can’t be blamed for all of that. Inside linebacker Patrick Willis has not been making as many plays as usual at the line of scrimmage. One glaring example was when he got blasted away by a pulling guard on LeSean McCoy’s 29-yard touchdown run Sunday.

But that’s a blog breakdown for another day. In other news of the day …

** Right guard Chilo Rachal had some major problems against the Eagles, but he isn’t about to be benched.

Singletary said no when asked if David Baas would move to right guard if/when Eric Heitmann (back from a broken leg) gets his starting center job back.

“Chilo will just have to be consistent with his technique, particularly when he pulls down the line,” Singletary said. “I think that is the biggest factor right now that he has to do. He’s done it before, he did it the week of Atlanta, and I just think he has to continue to go forward and do that.”

** Rookie left guard Mike Iupati will get the test of his life Sunday when he lines up against Raiders nose tackle Richard Seymour, who is playing mostly inside these days.

“He’s a great player,” Iupati said. “I have confidence in myself.”

Iupati doesn’t have to stop Seymour in the run game. He’s more apt to shed Seymour and get downfield to blow away a linebacker. Refer to the preseason game, when he swallowed Raiders middle linebacker Rolando McClain whole on a 49-yard run.

** The answer of the day comes from receiver Ted Ginn Jr., when asked is he has a secret when it comes to ball security.